Winged Dreams

Chapter 8: Of Dreams and Nightmares

16th October, 2015

"And provide for him from where he does not expect. Whoever puts his trust in Allah - He will be enough for him. Allah always achieves His aim. Allah has appointed a measure for all things."

[Qur'an]

Chapter 8:

Of Dreams and Nightmares

"Hi! My name is Anam Fazal. I'm four years old and I'm suffering from leukemia. But I don't want you to give me pitiful looks, or any of those emotions because I'm a strong girl. However, it would be great if you could donate for Cancer Care so other children suffering from cancer, and who cannot afford treatment, can be treated through the donations.

Also, in this video, I'm going to teach you how to do your make up. Yes, I'm very good at it. So, this is the lip stick, and you apply it on your lips. Although its name is lip stick, you only apply it, you don't stick the whole thing, ok? If you do that, you'll look funny! And then, this is called the mascara. Mascara is used on the eyebrows."

"Eyelashes," Dina corrected, stifling a laugh as she held the camera and recorded the little girl's make up tutorial.

"Oh yes, eye washes. Another thing I wanted to say, make up makes you look pretty. So when I grow up, I'm going to do make up and then cover my face when I go out. Because I don't want boys to start liking me. Ewww."

Dina brought her palm to her mouth, trying her best to suppress the giggles. However, when Anam blinked, smiled and said 'toodles' with a wave of her hand, just like those tutors in YouTube videos, Dina paused the recording and laughed to her heart's content.

To spread awareness of the cancer care initiative of the pediatric oncology department, Dina had decided on making a video, while using her little children. Each child was going to come ahead and speak of his hobbies, do something funny while sending across the message. Dina had planned to club all the clips together and make a video to put up on YouTube and other forums.

Although the idea sounded nice, she wasn't really sure how to go about the whole thing. For, although she recorded their clippings, Dina had no idea how to edit, crop, and merge the pieces to make the whole video look presentable.

Well, she'd have to come up with something, she thought.

She continued this for the rest of the children, while the others were kept busy in coloring or sketching activities.

She smiled when Lateef came to her along with Karan. Lateef was so much better now, although Dina could see he missed Umaiza terribly. The other day, he had refused to take part in the sand activities Dina prepared for them and after much thought, Dina had realized this was the activity Umaiza and Lateef had done together before her health deteriorated and she got too weak after starting chemo.

It was almost unbelievable how little children remembered things to precision and it left such an immense impact on them.

"You two ready?" Dina asked and Karan saluted and replied, "Yes. Inspector Karan Thakur on duty."

She started the recording as the kids spoke, yet again laughing when the two debated over who was better, Inspector or Mafia, for Lateef had a thing for the big bad guys of the underworld.

The day's session was much lighter and fun, and by the time she was going home, Dina had a smile etched on her features. After sending all the children, and cleaning the mess, Dina shouldered her bag and walked out.

As she passed by the canteen, she turned around to look at that lady who was a new face in the premises. She was light skinned, had sparking blue eyes, she wore a hijab while returning orders, and she had a look that definitely claimed she wasn't Indian. Dina was intrigued by her, and since last week, she wondered who she was but never really had the courage to strike up a conversation, so she kept walking.